Las Vegas Walgreens Stores Are Trying Something New To Deter Loitering
There’s something strange happening at local Walgreens parking lots around the Las Vegas Valley. Maybe you’ve noticed it? Customers have been met with the sounds of classical music. The genre is typically considered soothing, however reports are indicating that the music is being played at surprisingly high volumes at local stores. If you’ve noticed, you’re not alone. This unique experience is part of a strategy implemented by Walgreens to address a common urban challenge: loitering.
The source of the music is not a hidden orchestra but a specialized device perched atop a pole with flashing blue lights. These boxes, found at various Walgreens locations across the valley, are manufactured by Live View Technologies (LVT). In a recent article by Fox 5, Walgreens clarified the purpose behind these musical devices.
According to the interview done by Fox 5, the recorded music loop serves as an innovative solution to deter loitering on the store grounds. By playing classical music, they aim to create an environment that is less appealing for people who might otherwise linger without a specific purpose. And while the music might be loud in the parking lot, Walgreens claims that the sound does not disturb residents in nearby neighborhoods.
According to LVT’s website, the technology will not only make the locations more safe, but they claim the devices will also save Walgreens a lot of money. The website estimates an average annual savings of $121,000 when compared to what it would take to hire human staff.
Interestingly, the specs of LVT’s devices show that they do more than play music.
They’re equipped with an array of cutting-edge features, including:
- 24/7 video recording
- Thermal and infrared detection capabilities
- Cloud-based communication with users
- Floodlights
- Automated Alerts
- Live streaming video via cellular or satellite
LVT also claims that their technology requires very little maintenance.
In a bustling city like Las Vegas, where commercial spaces and public areas intersect, creative solutions like this musical approach highlight the ongoing evolution of urban design to ensure safety, comfort, and convenience for all residents and visitors alike.
9 Unspoken Rules for Public Restroom Etiquette
Skip the complicated stuff
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Feel free to touch up your makeup or give your teeth a quick brush. But skip the complex routines like flossing, clipping your nails, or shaving. Keep phone calls at bay, and save emails and browsing for later. Remember, public bathrooms are riskier for hygiene. According to Health, a health and lifestyle website, illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and colds can be found on surfaces. So, minimize your time there for safety’s sake.
No touchy, touchy
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If you spot someone you know, a nod is perfectly okay. No need to shake hands! In fact, CNN reported that only 5% of people who used the bathroom washed their hands long enough to kill the germs that can cause infections. It’s risky to assume otherwise. No one needs to guess where your hands were. Wet handshakes are bad, worse if it’s mystery liquid.
Stall chats and gossip
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Avoid engaging in conversations between stalls or near urinals. This holds particularly true within the office environment, where you can’t be certain if a colleague or supervisor is in the adjacent stall, potentially overhearing any complaints or gossip you share. A Redditor shared their frustration on the discussion board saying that talking in stalls should only be for, “Can you pass me some toilet paper? This ones out” or “Crap. Do you have a tampon?”
Hold off on phone conversations
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Staying connected is great, thanks to our trusty smartphones always being by our side. But let’s not take them to the bathroom. Besides the germs, it can get awkward. The person on your call hears bathroom noises and flushes. The nearby stall occupant gets only half the conversation, making the shared bathroom uncomfortable.
Welcoming yourself in without knocking
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You’re eyeing a solo bathroom, uncertain if it’s taken. Start with a knock on the door. No response? Next, put your hand on the doorknob and carefully turn it to one side. Did it open? If not, odds are someone’s inside, so hold on. No need to shake the handle like you’ve never met a doorknob. That’s a surefire method to give the person inside a shock. And just in case the person in the restroom forgot to lock the door, at least all your bases are covered.
Don't flush with your feet
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There are some people who think they’re maintaining hygiene by flushing toilets with their feet. In reality, this is one of the least hygienic actions. Shoes aren’t clean, particularly after navigating a public restroom, exposing them to unclean surfaces. This transfers germs where others touch. If you’re concerned about germs, consider using a piece of toilet paper to operate the flush handle.
"Be a sweetie and wipe the seatie"
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Tidy up after use. This rule covers all areas of the restroom. After you’re done, take a look at the seat and floor, and clean as needed. To put it simply, be considerate and give your seat a wipe. This also pertains to the sink. While soap is clean, leaving a large blob under the dispenser isn’t polite behavior.
Stall hogger
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According to Geisinger, a health organization, studies indicate the average time spent in the restroom is about 12 seconds. Occasionally, it might take longer, but it’s generally recommended not to exceed 10 minutes. So, if you find yourself scrolling through Instagram and Facebook during your bathroom time, you may want to reconsider. Keep in mind that others may be waiting their turn, and lingering around the restroom door isn’t the most comfortable scenario. On the other hand, if the restroom is occupied, it’s courteous to step away and return later. It’s unnecessary to wait outside the door, which could potentially be embarrassing for the occupant. However, if waiting is not feasible, forming a line is an acceptable option.
Don't peak through the stall gaps
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Making stall doors with a gap has benefits. If the door went all the way down, people couldn’t see if someone needed help. The gap helps in emergencies and lets responders assist without breaking in. Also, the gap can stop actions like sex or drug use, in stalls. But don’t make things weird by staring at people through them. That’s just uncomfortable.
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